SOLD
Oil on canvas
W: 1160mm x H: 1180mm
W: 46" x H: 46"
Although much of my previous work had depicted a snake it was suddenly with this painting that the concept of the African Snake crystalized. I had long since realised that there are many prejudices surrounding the image of the snake in both Christian and African 'cultures'. I am therefore confronting the 'traditional' notion of the snake as 'evil'. In a sense, the snake had been swimming around in my consciousness, waiting to be made conscious! "Chronologically" I therefore had to backtrack to the emergence/birth of the snake, which I have done in this depiction.
Here we see the African Snake emerging from deep slumber within the earth.
The intense psychic disturbance brought about by apartheid had forced its manifestation.
The head is three dimensional, thus indicating its 'surfacing'.
The tongue is forked, yet curved, indicating its 'benign' (not evil) intentions.
The snake is criss-crossed and enmeshed with the zigzag rhythm of Africa.
The essential colours of red, orange and green speak of the vibrancy and contrast of Africa.
I was truly astonished to discover (last year) the existence of an Aboriginal myth which speaks of the "Rainbow Serpent". Part dream, part vision, the ancient myth of the Rainbow Serpent is one of the creator and destroyer, survivor and shaper of the world. I personally feel that the African Snake and the Rainbow Snake are the same mythological snake - that it manifests when there is a dire need of its influence.
Little knowing it, I had embarked on a 10-15 year story.
My final painting in this series - 1996 - depicts the African Snake returning to the earth.
